Wrist watches made almost exclusively form wood? Done.

So, I've posted recently about a nice wooden wrist watch. In the more distant past I've also posted about a pocket watch with a wooden mechanism. Taking this to the next logical step, here is a wrist watch with wooden wooden works. That's right, those tiny pivots, pinions, wheels, levers, and balance wheel are all made of wood. The only non-wood part are the metal springs needed to power the movement and cause the balance wheel to oscillate. Many of the parts are made from birch and other woods such as juniper and bamboo. Some of these watches will run for a full day and and are accurate to withing five minutes a day.

These remarkable creations are the work of Valerii Danevych -- a talented Ukrainian man with no formal watchmaking experience. Granted, this achievement required a certain genius, but it should still make each us question if that the limits we place on ourselves exist only in our minds.

Here is where you can see the full article, titled Carpenter carves functioning watches entirely from wood.

[ Thanks John! ]

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Sandalwood wrist watch made from 50 hand-cut pieces

Of course, the mechanism within this watch isn't wood as it was in this amazing wood pocket watch that I posted about some time ago. However, hand-cut sandalwood does make up the the band's links, bezel, crown, case, and case back. Nearly everything you can actually see is made of real wood. Despite the fact that you can buy one of these for yourself for $139.95, no two are alike. The final appearance depends on the particular piece of sandalwood harvested from sustainable plantation-based stands grown in East Africa. The watch uses an efficient Miyota quartz movement, which provides reliable time for about two-years on one battery. Six adjustable links allow for a customized fit for a variety of wrist sizes. It also comes in a smaller lady's size.

It may not go with every item in your wardrobe, but I think this thing makes a nice fashion statement. What does it say exactly? I don't know. You tell me. I just know I like it.

Here is where you can get the The Gentleman's Sandalwood Watch.

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Miniature kinetic sculptures using tiny figures mounted to watch hands

Artist Dominic Wilcox has created a series of miniature kinetic sculptures using tiny figures adhered to the face and hands of vintage watches. Each diminutive scene is then covered with a clear dome. The collection covers a variety of subjects including protest, surveillance, technology, money, and sports. The gleaming watch bezels and tiny candy-red figures are a fascinating and unexpected medium for exploring social issues. Many have playful, surreal themes.

See more of Dominic Wilcox's watch sculptures on his web site.

[ Thanks Karin! ]

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A skeletonized pocket watch broke my heart

I was lucky enough to have received an Amazon gift card this holiday season. I was clicking around the site and the watch shown here caught my eye. It was mixed in among the 140 other skeletonized pocket watches -- many of which are quite affordable. All too quickly, I got my hopes up.

The bad news: it costs $2,875.00.

The good news: it comes with FREE SUPER SAVER SHIPPING!!!

Alas, my gift card -- even with the generous shipping offer -- won't quite be enough. I think I'll keep looking for an antique Waltham pocket watch.

If you feel like punishing yourself here's the page for the Catorex Argent Massif 925 Skeletal Pocket Watch.

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Watch with magician automaton in a walnut shell

Made in Geneva in 1810, this incredible watch was made in a walnut shell. It incorporates a magician automaton and music! This is just one of the treasures to be found at the Patek Philippe Museum near Lake Geneva. It houses one of the most important collections of watches in the world, going back six hundred years.

Here is an article and gorgeous photo set titled six centuries of the world's greatest watches.

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Video: how a pocket watch mechanism works

This item is all over the web at the moment, but I would be negligent in the performance my duty were I not to include it here. The video shows and explains the workings of a pocket watch using a scaled up, functioning model. Very instructive!

[ Found via MAKE ]

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David Knight's watchmaking as miniature sculpture

David Knight is a watch repairer turned watchmaker. He designs, engraves, crafts every part except for the jewels and springs! He does not use any other mass produced parts, or outsource any of the work to others. His unique, sculptural watches typically take at least 2,000 hours each to make and are priced in the tens of thousands of GBP.

See more images and read some articles on David Knight, maker of sculptural pocket watches.

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The Verge and Foliot clock escapment in wood

My appreciation and interest in clock mechanisms is growing all the time. Here's a wood version of one of the earliest of all escapements: the verge and foliot.

Wikipedia on the verge escapement:

The verge (or crown wheel) escapement is the earliest known type of mechanical escapement, the mechanism in a mechanical clock that controls its rate by advancing the gear train at regular intervals or 'ticks'. Its origin is unknown. Verge escapements were used from the 14th century until about 1800 in clocks and pocketwatches. The name verge comes from the Latin virga, meaning stick or rod.

Its invention is important in the history of technology, because it made possible the development of all-mechanical clocks. This caused a shift from measuring time by continuous processes, such as the flow of liquid in water clocks, to repetitive, oscillatory processes, such as the swing of pendulums, which had the potential to be more accurate. Oscillating timekeepers are at the heart of every clock today.

Here is a link to Wikipedia's article on the verge escapement.

[ Thanks Steve! ]

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Large-scale all wood "pocket" watch

Back in March of 2007, I posted about a real wooden pocket watch. The one shown here is also made of wood and also a pocket watch. The big difference is that this one isn't at pocket watch scale. It's actually 10-1/2" in diameter and 3" thick. Even so, this is a stunning demonstration of artistry and craftsmanship.

Some details on the watch:

The escape is a double-roller Swiss Lever with a half-second balance wheel. ...The escape has banking pins and a safety roller, so - like a watch - it runs in any position. You can even shake it or bang it around, and she keeps on ticking!

The balance wheel is in Teflon bushings and the escape wheel is on ball bearings. The pins on the balance wheel have small screws inside to adjust the poise. The cherry pallets are adjustable. The anchor for the "hairspring" (actually a very small clock spring) moves with an adjustment lever to regulate the watch. It keeps perfect time.

Here is a link to see more images of the wooden watch.

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Gorgeous automaton chronograph pocket watch

Take a look the video showing all the functions of this magnificent pocket watch. Brass case, skeleton back, and animated bell-ringing figures. I am in love.

Details of this Pocket Watch
Movement: Swiss made 1/4 repeater and chronograph movement
Case Material: Brass case
Dial: Brass & Enamel
Size: 58mm round excluding the crown.
Condition: Overall in vintage condition and time keeping time, repeating function working correct.

One of many detailed photographs, this one showing the mechanism in back...

Here is the full eBay listing with a number of outstanding detail photographs of Brass cased automaton chronograph pocket watch

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Pocket watch automaton with flag waving man

This colorful mechanical pocket watch features a street-level view of the Empire State Building. A man at the base of the building holds an American flag and waves it with the rhythm of the watch. The listing doesn't say much about how old the watch is or its maker, though we do know that it is in working order.

The backplate opens to reveal the mechanical interior of the timepiece.

Here is the eBay listing with more photographs of the Pocket watch automaton with flag waving man

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The Enchanting World of Automata, Paul Spooner

Here's a Paul Spooner piece that at first glance seems to depict the most innocent of automata themes. Indeed, simple ballerinas and musicians have long been the subjects of automata.

However, automata also have a long history of more adult themes -- and sometimes in conjunction with the more respectable subjects. For example, there are many pocket watch automata that show a simple, tasteful scene on the watch face. A door on the back of the pocket watch, though, may reveal a more graphic, shall we say..."amorous"...tableaux.

Spooner tips his hat to both of these themes in the piece shown here (NSFW). With tongue firmly in cheek, he has titled it: The Enchanting World of Automata. Paul Spooner's wit is second to none in the world of contemporary automata.

See the full scope of Paul Spooner's automata at Fourteen Balls Toy Company or look into buying a piece at the Cabaret Mechanical Theatre online shop.

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Reuge Musical Alarm Pocket Watch with Automata

Take a look at this beautiful pocket watch by famed music box maker, Reuge.

This entirely mechanical pocket watch features the an alarm that uses an internal music box to play "Oh what a beautiful morning". The face of the watch also features three moving automata.

The man on the horse moves his arm up and down, the horse lowers its head to drink the water and the lady operates the pump. In a very nice bit of detail, the water itself can be seen flowing from the pump into the basin.

The watch comes with its original box and key -- a Breguet ratchet style and is used to wind up the music box. There is also a button on the back that will start and stop the music and automata.

Here is the complete eBay listing with many more nice photographs of the musical alarm pocket watch with automata by Reuge

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